Zutshi

Zutshi is a surname primarily found among Kashmiri Pandits, the Hindu Brahmin community native to the Kashmir Valley in India. The name is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit words "Yuth" or "Yotsa," meaning "warrior," and "Shi," indicating "belonging to" or "descendant of." Thus, Zutshi can be interpreted as "descendant of a warrior" or "belonging to the warrior clan."

The Zutshi surname is associated with a specific Karkun (clerical) lineage within the broader Kashmiri Pandit community. Traditionally, Zutshis were known for their involvement in administration, governance, and scholarship. They often held positions of influence in the Kashmiri courts and later under the Dogra rulers.

The surname, like other Kashmiri Pandit surnames, denotes a specific ancestral profession or origin within the community's hierarchical structure. Due to the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley starting in the late 20th century, individuals bearing the Zutshi surname are now dispersed globally.